Polypropylene (pp) and polystyrene (ps) are two common polymers used in the manufacture of plastic consumables. Polypropylene and polystyrene are similar in many applications, but there are some inherent differences between them that make them more suitable for specific applications.

polypropylene

Polypropylene, also known as PP, is a thermoplastic polymer.PP plasticIt is commonly used in the manufacture of plastic laboratory supplies such as beakers, bottles, flasks, specimen containers, test tubes, and more. Polypropylene is very tough, resilient, bendable, and resistant to many chemicals, acids and bases. It is also highly heat resistant. Depending on the grade, polypropylene has a melting point of 130°C (266°F) and a maximum of 171°C (340°F). Because of this high heat resistance, many polypropylene products can be autoclaved. In contrast to polystyrene products, which can be discarded after only one use, polypropylene can be used over and over again without replacement. As a result, polypropylene products can be viewed as a cost-effective alternative to their glass counterparts. However, glass is still preferred and necessary in many applications. The durability, high chemical resistance and high level of temperature resistance of polypropylene products make them very versatile in many laboratory and industrial applications.

polystyrene

Polystyrene, also known as PS, is a polymer made from the monomer styrene, which is a liquid hydrocarbon made from petroleum. At room temperature, polystyrene is usually a solid thermoplastic, but can be melted at higher temperatures for extrusion and then cured. Styrene is an aromatic monomer and polystyrene is an aromatic polymer. Polystyrene is a hard and rigid material used in the manufacture of toys, kitchen utensils, disposable cups, packaging materials, computer casing components, and more. It is a highly used plastic worldwide because typically its price is lower than many products made from other plastics. Polystyrene is environmentally friendly as it can be recycled. Although polystyrene is resistant to acids and alkalis, it is not as resistant to certain chemicals as polypropylene. Polystyrene products are usually consumed in large quantities because they cannot withstand temperatures above 100°C and can only be disposed of after a single use. Polystyrene is well suited for general sample storage and transportation and is commonly used for laboratory supplies such as test tubes, microtiter plates and petri dishes because it is clear like glass.